CJM Inspiring Mom Series

November 03, 2009

I'm very happy (and a bit sad) to say that what follows is the last installment of my profile of Roberta Rose.If you are just joining us, you can read part 3 here, where you'll also find links to parts 1 and 2. (Definitely worth looking at!)

I'm happy because quite honestly the interview is amazing. I'm sad because that means I don't have any more gorgeous photos of Roberta's home to inspire me. Mind you, it's not that we'll never hear from Roberta again here on the blog, I'm quite sure I'll have to check in with her from time to time to see what she's up to. Just yesterday she wrote me that she's glazing another wall in her living room and getting ready to try a new project involving dyeing some vintage lace to use as curtains!

My goal in starting the CJM Inspiring Moms series was to help inspire all of you readers out there(and by the way I really need your help in spreading the word!) but I had no idea how personally inspired I would be by the whole experience!And the cherry-on-the-top, after all the gorgeous photos, is the wisdom behind the woman, perfectly communicated through this interview.I don't think I could have wished for better answers to my questions. They are all so very on target as far as the message I'm trying to impart here in the blog. So please do take a few minutes to absorb what Roberta has to say.

October 29, 2009

For those of you who have just joined us, and don't know anything about the amazingly creative Roberta Rose, or why she's been chosen as an Inspiring Mom, you can read the two previous posts here and here.

This post is about the other side of Roberta Rose, the side that I've manged to keep a secret thus far, but that makes her even more inspiring. This may not surprise you, but Roberta Rose is not only a great craftswoman she's also raises farm animals (on a small scale)!

I just loved how the Roses are using their children's former play area (complete with play house and climbing equipment and a small farm shed) as a paddock for the animals!

And just in case you were wondering what that bird was in the previous photo, well here's a closer look,it's a turkey! Want one of these in your backyard?

I just loved these white ducks, though they were a bit camera shy.

And the rustic farm aesthetic of this shed just seemed so in keeping with their home.

This is a goat! Sorry about the quality of the photo, she just wouldn't stay still.

Here's a shot inside the former playhouse turned mini-barn. Even the goats got their house decorated — with a collection of old license plates.

What on earth is this? You ask? Well, the Roses raise Angora goats on a small scale and just purchased this Angora goat buck to ensure that there will be some baby goats in the spring. Check out those horns! You gotta be pretty brave to bring home one of these guys in your van, even if the van is a rental!

Well, I'm sorry to say, that's it for the photos of Roberta's wonderful home, but we do have the interview with Roberta to look forward to, (coming soon) and believe me, it's great reading! Until then, all the best to each and every one of you. And do take a few moments to leave a comment, you'll make my day!

October 27, 2009

If you visited the blog last week then you will surely be excited to see that I've posted part two of my Inspiring Moms: Roberta Rose. Roberta's home and creativity greatly inspired so many last week, and now I think we're ready once again for a little dose of Roberta's magical and unique interiors! You can read a little about Roberta in Part 1 and how I came to interview her here.

Today I'm going to focus on Roberta's amazing kitchen. And let me just say that as I entered the kitchen I was overtaken by a wonderful smell and wondered what she was cooking. Then I realized that she had a pot of spices simmering on the stove purely to enjoy the fragrance! This is one of those tricks they tell people to do when potential buyers come to their for-sale home, and let me tell you, it works! Though I wonder now if the fragrance kept me from noticing everything! Even looking in the background of this photo I realize now that there were some details I didn't catch, like the contents of those cupboards! But lest I digress, I absolutely loved this antique (French, I believe) chandelier the minute I set my eyes upon it. That blue glass is something else! And those beaded bulb covers, I've going to try and make some myself. I'll let you know how it turns out!

This little vignette in the corner was oh so charming and seemingly effortless. Flowers from the garden are casually placed in the enamel pitcher paired with the dainty pink china and green glass dishes. This is a still life composed by an artist without a doubt!

I just love these aged frames and her choice of artwork— a page from an old cookbook with some frilly cakes, and a painting of chickens. No matchy-matchy stuff going on here!

Look at this wall sconce and those hanging baubles.....I have no words left to describe its loveliness!

Here's a photo of one side of the kitchen, whoops, forgot my black camera bag there on the counter. Roberta incidentally has a room specifically designated for all of her husband's "black" stuff, namely the electronics, computer stuff and anything else whose aesthetic is clearly out of place in this home! Good idea Roberta, and thanks to the husband for being such a good sport! And I just now noticed that that's probably a dishwasher hiding over there to the left of the sink!

I just love Roberta's collection of this contemporary enamel ware, she's got it all over the kitchen, and it's perfect.

And just in case you were wondering, there's the fridge over there pretending not to be a fridge, and the unobtrusive white telephone that I'm sure Roberta would love to mosaic, hey that's not a bad idea!

Okay, I felt a bit silly trying to take a photo of this dish towel that hung on Roberta's oven handles, but I just couldn't resist. Blue toile fabric, hand-embroidered with colorful details. This is a great idea with so many possibilities, can't wait to try it.

A few more wonderful details.........

And now I leave you with this last lovely image, the table just outside the French doors leading from the kitchen to the back yard, a wonderful spot for a morning cup of coffee, let's go!

Okay, I don't know about you, but that's definitely enough inspiration for today! I still have an amazing interview with Roberta to share with you as well as a few photos of just what's happening in her back yard, so stay tuned.

October 19, 2009

Welcome to the wonderful world of Roberta Rose in Rockland County, New
York. I had the great pleasure of meeting Roberta and briefly touring
parts of her home this past September on a trip the the United States.
My sister in law insisted that she must take me to visit Roberta, and I
can't thank her enough! With a training and interest in interior design
and architecture, I have seen many a wonderful home, but this one is
truly special with its unique and consistent style created by Roberta! There and then I decided that she would be my first CJM Inspiring Mom to appear on this blog, and I'm so grateful for this opportunity to share her creativity with you.

When we pulled into the driveway of Roberta's home and I caught a glimpse of this entry, I knew that I was in for a real treat. Would you believe this gorgeous stone exterior used to be a suburban Ranch Style home, now transformed into something else entirely! And when I saw the galvanized trough holding the flowers out front, I had a feeling that I would love Roberta's style, though I certainly didn't expect the delights that awaited.

And really, it would have been worth the trip just to see how she planted this morning glory in the weathered urn, supported with a chicken wire column, a combination of formal and farm-chic, very much indicative of Roberta's self made style. I can't wait for spring to plant some of my morning glory seeds in a new way!

Then we went inside, and the first of many gorgeous vignettes appeared before my eyes. My jaw dropped and stayed in that position for quite some time. The wall color, the vase, the light switch, the table.......

This small mosaic covered chest works so wonderfully with the colors of the vase and the walls— like a beautiful water color painting. Just the details in the narrow entryway bowled me over!

Look at the combination of broken dishes Roberta used on this chest!

And I just loved this little corner, with the weathered window and the artificial hydrangea in a weathered terra cotta pot sitting on a small vintage foot stool!

And the authentic art nouveau tile detail on the transom, a really nice touch! And in case you are wondering, the original ranch house did not have French doors. Roberta wisely placed throughout her home to divide space and yet create a light open feeling.

When I entered the living room, I felt as though I had accidently walked on to a stage set! I was so astonished to see such an amazing example of a creative mom who has not only developed a unique style, but was able to maintain a strong sense of that style in every detail!

Look at this bench she covered in mosaic, and those sconces with the glass pendants, so very special.

The candelabra and the colors and detail of the mosaic bench are so similar and yet different. And I just love how Roberta created mosaic details amidst seemingly random areas of mosaic.

A closer look at the bench reveals much thought in the placement of the ceramic plate fragments! Wow.

The dining room table looks gorgeous, with more french doors in the background. Honestly his vintage Victorian era vase isn't the kind of thing I'd look twice at, but it looks so amazing here! Some more hydrangeas complete the look.

Roberta also applied mosaic to the fireplace surround (not exactly a mantle, but rather a ranch style fireplace, now totally disguised!) and her dining room chairs! (above right, detail of chair back)

Okay, I don't know about you, but I'm on total visual overload after these amazing photos, and so I've decided to keep the remaining photos of the kitchen and backyard for another post, next week, together hopefully with an interview. Can't wait myself to learn more about Roberta and how she does what she does!

Until then, check back for a few more posts with detailed instructions for making some of the projects seen in Roberta's home. And if you know of a creative mom who you'd love to see profiled here, do drop me a line at crafts@creativejewishmom.com, I can't wait to be inspired!